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Boston Children’s Chorus records virtual MLK tribute concert

BOSTON — Seventeen-year-old Carmen Belizaire of Mattapan has been singing with the Boston Children’s Chorus for 11 years, but this will be her final year with the chorus. It’s been a year that has brought challenges to the chorus.

“Singing at home and singing on our phone and just lip-syncing or just singing to a camera, it does get a little weird at times, I will say that, but you know in the times of Covid, it’s the safest thing we should do,” she said.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the chorus has only had a few outdoor socially-distance practice sessions. Most of the 300 members from across Greater Boston have been practicing at home.

Andres Holder, who was named B.C.C executive director in September, said he quickly had to adapt for the annual Dr. MLK, Jr. Tribute Concert.

“Our singers from lower chorus, hopefully, and most likely, have help from parents and that’s your iPhone camera recording and they’re receiving music from us, so they’re hearing an audio track for a guide. They have helping videos from conductors, they are kind of guiding them through the tracks to be able to sing,” Holder said.

But older singers, like 16-year-old Caleb Chin, of Lowell, are using microphones and mixing-software to edit their own tracks, which he said has been a cool experience.

“I think sometimes you just have to look on the brighter side and we still get to do what we love, even though it’s separated and we have to do it in our rooms,” he said.

Sunday’s 4 p.m. concert will feature nine virtual choir videos connected by spoken word and historical context. The singers will be joined by Broadway singer-actor Roman Banks and actress-singer E. Faye Butler.

If you’re interested in watching the free concert, click here.